For many people, a holiday wouldn’t be a holiday if it didn’t involve a little bit of messing around on the water.

HomeAway.co.uk, the UK’s leading rental site with over 545,000 properties, has a wide range of accommodation that is situated directly on beaches, canals, rivers and lakes and make the perfect location for a holiday where getting wet is a must.

Erica Chang, Regional Director for HomeAway.co.uk, said; “Traditionally, a holiday on the water was either a beach break, cruise, or for those with the cash, a sailing trip round the world. Today however, there are many options available and HomeAway.co.uk has some exceptional choices. Not only do we have an impressive range of waterfront villas and apartments but also house boats, barges and yachts that will give travellers something to write home about”.

She added, “Whether people are looking to simply take a paddle, try out jet skiing, go surfing, moor their boat and sleep under the stars or lower the anchor and go fishing for a week, we are pretty sure we have something that is right for them. The site is quick and easy to navigate and with specific accommodation filters, finding the right place to stay is as easy as 1, 2, 3.”

Here are HomeAway.co.uk’s top water-based picks:

Central London Designer Canal Boat Oasis

Anyone looking for a holiday that combines city and water life, need look no further than Boathome LiLa. Located in the heart of Little Venice, this uber chic designer boat has two / three bedrooms, two bathrooms and access to a unique city garden.

Whether it is James Bond-style hidden doorways or galleys worthy of Gordon Ramsay, this boat embodies the saying: 'imagination is the key to creating the perfect living space’.  Just seven minutes from Paddington, LiLa is the perfect pad to explore London from and the enchanting canal world of Little Venice (where Richard Branson’s canal boat is moored!).

Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p464762vb and prices start at £250 per night.

Funky Houseboat in Boston, USA

“Orion” is a catamaran houseboat and is a unique way to enjoy downtown Boston. The 1997 houseboat, docked on Atlantic Ave. in Boston, is an unusual, funky craft that has a private stateroom, bathroom with shower, kitchen and is fully air-conditioned and heated. As well as the living room, there’s a front and back porch and large roof sun deck for enjoying alfresco dining and watching the world to go past.

The boat is steps away from the New England Aquarium, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, Boston Garden, as well as countless other things to see and do.

 Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p65033vbi and prices start at £128 per night.

The Perfect Amsterdam Houseboat

The Arden sleeps six and offers a distinctive combination of retro vintage and modern luxury so guests can watch flatscreen TV from a genuine chair of Gerrit Rietveld, a famous Dutch furniture designer, and have dinner at an authentic Louis van Teeffelen table whilst listening to music from the iPod docking station.

Located in one of the most authentic and original parts of the city, guests can experience great variety, food and shops among the locals but are also within walking distance of the Dam Square, Vondelpark, Anne Frank House, Westerkerk and the Leidse Square.

 Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p427948vb and prices start at £1042 per week.

Houseboat on Private Tropical Island in Florida

Renting a houseboat is a great way to explore the Florida Keys and this houseboat rental gives guests a little bit of paradise. As well as exploring the island, guests can enjoy picnics and barbecues as well as spending their days snorkeling, fishing and swimming in the clear seas.  This two bedroomed holiday house boat with two bathrooms is located in the Quiet Cove Key and is simply magical.

Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p211749 and prices start at £1,621 per week.

Contemporary Houseboat on the bank of The River Orwell, Suffolk

The Yare Houseboat  is a beautiful two bedroomed houseboat in Chelmondiston set on the southern stretch of the riverbank close to Ipswich and Suffolk. This historic houseboat was built in 1871 by Orvis and Fuller and was one of a fleet of Gipping barges carrying supplies up and down the river. She was renovated in 2010 and now provides comfortable, contemporary holiday accommodation. This is the perfect holiday base for couples, families, ramblers, bird watchers and artists alike. Whether it is simply sitting on the deck and watching the river scenes unfold before, or putting on boots and going on a picturesque walk, maybe stopping off to sample a traditional Suffolk ale or cider along the way, there is something for all water lovers. If you want to switch from bird watching to celebrity spotting, you can also take a trip to TV celebrity Jimmy Doherty’s farm, where you can see his rare breed pigs.

Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p833202 and prices start at £128 a night.

Designer Barge in Paris More synonymous with five star hotels, Paris is infact home to some amazing water based accommodation, including the Devolu. As well as offering a convenient base to visit the sites of Paris, go to Disneyland and the Ch'teau de Versailles, the Devolu is a home from home experience not to be missed.

The living area, dining room, kitchen and terrace are on the upper level of the boat, with 360° windows, air-conditioning and designer furniture. The four bedrooms are below deck, each with a huge window looking out at water level. This is a dream home that’s set in a spot so calm no one believes it is just minutes from the Eiffel Tower!     

Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p843112 and prices start at £1616 a week.

Classic Aeolian Villa Steps from the Ocean 

If you want to holiday on solid ground but still want to be close to the water, this stunning property, just steps from a beautiful Greek beach, is the answer.  

Casa Arturo has first class views of the sea, beach and ‘faraglioni’ - the volcanic rocks of ‘Punta Scario’. The house has two bedrooms, sleeps up to four and is set in the greenest, possibly most beautiful of the seven Aeolian Islands. A path leads directly to the beach where guests can relax as they soak up the sun and swim in the cool, blue waters. Casa Arturo is close to restaurants, beaches, villages and authentic island life is felt the moment guests arrive.            

Full details can be seen at http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p84796 and prices start at £468 a week.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Founded in 1996 and part of HomeAway Inc., HomeAway.co.uk is the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, listing over 545,000 self-catering properties worldwide. The site provides a simple, cost-effective way for holiday home owners and managers to market their property and manage bookings, with unrivalled worldwide exposure for a fixed annual fee. For holidaymakers, HomeAway.co.uk offers the best choice of any UK website.

For more information, images or quotes please contact Natalie Trice at Seriously PR – (0)1491 822647/07825615303 or Natalie@seriouslypr.co.uk